Also written C♯7♯5, C♯ or C♯ Dominant 7th ♯5
C♯ 7th sharp 5 contains C♯, E♯, G♯♯, and B. The default voicing at the 5th fret requires a wide four-finger stretch.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th, G♯♯, gives the chord its sharp, biting quality. Compare it to C♯ 7th, which uses a perfect 5th.
C♯ 7th sharp 5 suits rock, blues, and jazz lines that need a raised 5th. It pairs well with C♯ major and C♯ 7th.
The A inversion puts the ♭7 in the bass, creating a dark, unstable sound. The C♭ inversion has the ♭7 in the bass as well but is higher on the neck. Choose the A inversion for a more dissonant line.
C♯ 7th sharp 5 is played at the 3rd fret as 5 4 3 4: pinky finger on the E string at fret 5, middle finger on the A string at fret 4, index finger on the D string at fret 3 and ring finger on the G string at fret 4.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 5th fret on the E string while the index holds the 3rd fret on the D string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 4 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (♭7) |
C♯ 7th sharp 5 is played at the 6th fret as 7 8 7 6: middle finger on the E string at fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8, ring finger on the D string at fret 7 and index finger on the G string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 4 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 3 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ 7th sharp 5 is written as C♯7♯5 or C♯7+5. The ASCII root is C#, so you may see C#7#5. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
C♯ 7th sharp 5 adds a minor 7th, B, to the augmented triad C♯–E♯–G♯♯. C♯ augmented has only the root, major 3rd, and augmented 5th. The 7th makes the chord dominant and more dissonant.
C♯ 7th sharp 5 works as a passing chord between C♯ 7th and C♯ 9th. Its raised 5th creates tension that resolves to the next chord. Use it briefly on a weak beat.